Match strip feeding mechanism



Nov. 8, 1932. M. PARIDON 1 1,886,495

MATCH STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Filed May 12, 1951 s Shets-Sheet 1 Nov. 8, 1932. M. PARmoN MATCH STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Filed May 12, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 8, 1932. M. PARiDON 1,886,495

MATCH STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Filed May 12, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MICHAEL PARIDON, F BAR-IBER'I'ON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND MATCH-STRIP FEEDING MECHANISM Application filed May 12, 1931. Serial No. 536,774.

This invention relates to mechanism for feeding strips of card matches in an orderly manner, more particularly to the cutting mechanism of a book-match making machine.

The invention may be described as an improvement on the match-strip feeding mechanism set out in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,461,433, dated July 10, 1923, which mechanism includes chain and crossbar conveyers mounted to overhang the feed table of a book-match machine and constructed and adapted to receive match strips and deliver them successively to a plunger which is operative to position the strips in the efiective path of cutters designed to sever the strips into match cards. Owing to the vibration of the machine and the relative lightness of the match strips, the strips are liable to be displaced during their advancement by the conveyer to the positioning plunger, thus affecting the orderly delivery of the strips to the plunger.

An object of my invention is to overcome this objection by the provision of gravity pressure devices arranged and adapted to act upon the strips preparatory to their delivery by the conveyer or conveyers t0 the plunger.

A further object of my invention is the provision of simple and efficient means whereby the feed table or platform on which the conveyer or conveyers travel can be raised and maintained in elevated position while the machine is not in operation, thus permitting ready access to the machine for inspection,

as repair, or other purpose, as may be required.

My invention also comprises features of novelty which will be hereinafter described; the scope of the invention being expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan of a portion of a bookmatch machine having match-strip feeding mechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the machine, as on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar section, enlarged, through the delivery end of the feeding mechanism, and adjuncts; the positioning plunger being shown in its rearward position, and gravity pressure rings being illustrated as engaging match strips preparatory to the delivery of the latter to the plunger.

Fig. 4 is a similar section, showing the match strips deposited on the positioning plunger and the rings riding on the proximate cross-bar of the conveyer.

Fig. 5 is a similar section, showing the plunger retracted and the match strips in front thereof preparatory to their delivery to the path of the cutter, and also showing the pressure rings about to engage the next succeeding match strip in the conveyer.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section, as on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3, showing the pressure rings in engagement with the match strips.

The book match machine herein illustrated embodies a table 11 upon and along which is guided the upper run of an endless carrier constituted by a chain of links 12' whereof each is constructed to receive and support the cover and match elements of a match book. At a station of the machine the match-strips, as S, heads forward, are fed towards the carrier and divided into successive cards of proper size which are placed in covers previously inserted in the carrier.

A horizontally reciprocative plunger 13 is guided on a forward extension 14 of the table, and a cover plate 15, constituting a supplemental table, overhangs the path of the plunger in spaced relation to the carrier 12, so that when the plunger is in its rearward position match strips can be placed fiatwise thereon and rearwardly of the table 15. This done, when the plunger 13 travels beneath the table 15 and away from the match strips, the strips fall upon the main table 11, whereupon in the next succeeding active stroke of the plunger, the opposing strips are pushed toward the carrier and positioned with their margins below the cutting mechanism including spaced reciprocating cutters 16.

The cutters are constructed and operated to sever the strips into match cards of proper size which as they are out are pushed into the complementary covers (C) in the carrier by means of a setting plunger 17 reciprocative transversely of the main table.

The match strips when in rearward posi tion upon the main table 11 are advanced at intervals longitudinally of the table and beneath the cutting mechanism preparatory to the cutting of succeeding cards from the strips.

18 designates an elongated feed table arranged forwardly of and in the same plane as the top of the table 15, the two tables constituting in effect a single feed table. The outer end of the table 18 is pivotally mounted on suitable brackets 19 on the standards 20 of a suitable framework, so that the feed table 18 and its appurtenances can be swung upward to facilitate access to the match machine for inspection, repairs, etc., and can be as readily lowered. The feed table 18 is equipped with a suitable counterpoise whereby it can be readily lifted and maintained in raised position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. This counterpoise comprises a weight 21 suspended by a cable 22' which is attached to a suitably-disposed elevated fixture 23 and guided down to and about a sheave 2% at the inner end of the feed table and then up to and about a pair of sheaves 25 on the framework. This feed table 18 includes longitudinal skirt boards 26 which extend beyond the front of the table to overhang the supplemental table 15 when the feed table is in its normal or down position. The skirt boards are arranged in spaced parallel relation to afford troughs for the passage and guidance of the match strips and their feed conveyer or conveyers. In the present instance there are two conveyors, Each comprises a pair of parallel chains 27 connected at intervals by cross-bars 28, the lower runs of which conveyers are mounted and arranged to travel along the feed and supplemental tables and within the respective guide troughs. The distance between each pair of adjacent cross-bars is somewhat greater than the width of a match strip, in order that a single strip, or superposed strips, can be manually placed on the feed table between the bars, with the heads of the matches pointing forward, and hence during the travel of the conveyer the trailing bar of the pair abuts against the match heads and positively advances the opposing strip, or strips, to delivery position.

The chains of the respective conveyer-s are mounted to travel in rectangular paths, the lower runs being guided by wheels 29 loose on transverse shafts 30 supported by the respective skirt boards, and the top runs being guided by wheels 31 on transverse shafts 32 'gressing match strips.

mounted in brackets 33 suitably-disposed on the frame standards. The forward upper shaft is fixed and the wheels 31 are loose thereon. The rearward upper shaft is a drive shaft and the wheels thereon are sprockets which mesh with the respective chains. This drive shaft has fast thereon a worm wheel 34 in mesh with a worm 35 on a shaft 36 included in the drive mechanism of the match machine. The speed of the conveyers is so timed in relation to the reciprocating motion of the plunger 13 that when the latter approaches the end of its rearward positioning stroke, the strips at the rearward edge of the supplementaltable 1 5 are delivered fiatwise upon the top of the plunger 13 by the conveyers, and hence as this plunger approaches the limit of its return stroke the strips thus deposited thereon drop flatwise upon the table 11 in position for advancement by the plunger in its next succeeding rearward stroke. Each succeeding pair of single match strips, or plural strips, as the casemay be,'are thus deposited upon and positioned in operat ve relation to the plunger 13in each reciprocation of the latter.

As a simple and efiicient means to ensure the accurate delivery of the match strips to the positioning plunger, irrespective of thelr displacement while in transit, I arrange above the table 15 adjacent the plunger a series of relatively light pressure elements which loosely depend in the path of the pro- Preferably these pressure elements comprise aseries of metal rings 36 loosely suspended on the lower rearward shaft 30 laterally of each other so as to bear independently upon the tops of'the match strips at different points in the length of the strips immediately before they are deposited on the positioning plunger. These rings are relatively light but are of sufficient weight to retard the opposing match strips if such strips, or any of them, are out of contact with the adjacent impelling bars of the conveyers, thus effecting uniform contact of the bars with match heads of the strips, and,

ensuring the accurate disposition of the strips for delivery to the plunger. The rings rest upon the strips until the latter pass beyond the edge of the table, thus by their weight causing the strips to drop uniformly on the positioning plunger. The cross-section of the metal of the loosely supported rings is such that the rings enter the opposing spaces between adjacent splints of the upper match strips, and hence by virtue of the varying angular positions which the rings are caused to assume by their frictional contact with the matches such upper strips, if displaced, are slightly shifted endwise and brought into proper alignment with the complementary lower strips. (See Fig. 6.)

As the leading cross-bars of the conveyers.,

deliver the strips to the positioning plunger,

the rings ride upon the bars and then drop upon the next or succeeding strips in a manner to ensure their contact with the opposing cross-bars of the conveyers, and so on.

To prevent misplaced strips in the respective guide troughs from riding upon the chains or the cross-bars of the conveyers, the skirt boards 26 of the feed table 18 are pr0- vided adjacent their delivery ends with depending side guards 37.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular construction herein disclosed, as the mechanism may be modified within the principle of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. In match-strip feeding mechanism having a feed table for match strips, means including spaced members for feeding match strips along said table, and a plunger to which the match strips are delivered, a plurality of independent pressure members loosely depending in the path of the strips on the table adjacent the plunger, said pres sure members arranged laterally of each other to exert relatively light pressure upon each succeeding strip at different points in the length of the strip.

2. In match-strip feeding mechanism having a feed table for match strips, means including spaced members for feeding match strips along said table, and a plunger to which the match strips are delivered, a plurality of independent rings loosely depending in the path of the strips on the table adjacent the plunger.

8. In match-strip feeding mechanism hav ing a feed table for match strips, means including spaced members for feeding match strips along said table, and a plunger to which the match strips are delivered, a plurality of independent rings loosely depending in the path of the strips on the table adjacent the plunger, the cross-section of the material of the rings being such that the rings are free to enter the opposing spaces between adjacent splints of the match strips.

4. In match-strip feeding mechanism hav ing a feed table for match strips, means including spaced members for feeding match strips along said table, and a plunger to which the match strips are delivered, a shaft overhanging the path of the strips adjacent the plunger, and a plurality of independent rings loosely encircling said shaft and depending in the path of the strips.

5. In match-strip feeding mechanism, a pivotally mounted feed table for match strips, an endless conveyer for feeding match strips along said table, said conveyer including endless chains, guide means on the table for the active runs of the chains, and stationary guide means above the table for the chains.

6. In match-strip feeding mechanism, a

MICHAEL PARIDON. 

